In this deeply moving and powerful episode, Georgette Beck welcomes her dear friend and former teaching colleague, Sandy Tuff-Galvin, author of "It Had to Happen: From Abuse to Freedom." Sandy's story is one of incredible resilience, faith, and God's relentless love through the darkest valleys.
Born in Germany on a military base to a father who served two tours in Vietnam, Sandy experienced a childhood filled with both love and chaos. After moving to the United States at age nine, she faced racism for the first time, family violence, parental divorce, and eventually found herself contemplating suicide as a teenager. It was a math teacher named Mrs. Adams who literally saved her life with one timely intervention.
Sandy's journey continued through a devastating ten-year marriage marked by violence, infidelity, and abuse, all while raising two beautiful children. Through it all, Sandy held onto faith, eventually finding the courage to leave and rebuild her life. Today, she's remarried to a godly man who loves and respects her, and she uses her story to help other women find their strength in Jesus and move from abuse into destiny.
This conversation is raw, honest, and filled with hope for anyone who feels trapped, alone, or unworthy of love.
"My father said, 'As long as you bring home a man that loves and respects you, I don't care what color he is.'" - Sandy Tuff-Galvin
"Mrs. Adams grabbed hold of my shoulders and said, 'Miss Tuff, listen to me. Whatever you're thinking about doing, don't you dare do it.' She saved my life." - Sandy Tuff-Galvin
"I thought if I left, what if he becomes this wonderful person and I miss out? He never did. And that's okay - that was his decision." - Sandy Tuff-Galvin
"My prayer was: Don't let anyone ask me out unless it's the guy that you've picked for me. That was the funniest five-year wait." - Sandy Tuff-Galvin
"You can't have a relationship with someone who's broken. You have to love them and pray for them, but you can't lean your weight on a broken crutch." - Sandy Tuff-Galvin
Episode Highlights & Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction to Sandy Tuff-Galvin and her book
[03:30] Growing up on a military base in Germany - a beautiful, diverse childhood
[08:15] Moving to America at age nine and learning about racism for the first time
[12:40] Her father's profound lesson about what matters in a foxhole
[16:20] Parents' violent marriage and the trauma of public humiliation
[20:45] Contemplating suicide in high school - the darkest moment
[23:00] Mrs. Adams: The teacher who saved Sandy's life with one intervention
[28:15] Her father leaving with just a note - the devastating impact
[32:00] Sister's controlling decision that changed Sandy's path
[35:40] Marrying the wrong person - ignoring God's warning on her wedding day
[40:20] Ten years of violence, abuse, and infidelity
[45:00] The fear of leaving: "What if he becomes wonderful without me?"
[48:30] Making the exit plan with church support from Georgette and Scott
[52:15] Starting over and attending Divorce Care
[55:40] Her son's miraculous intervention that saved his father's life
[60:00] Praying for God to pick her husband - the five-year wait
[63:45] Meeting Craig at Dancing with Your Paws and the proposal story
[68:20] Why waiting and setting boundaries mattered
[71:00] Rapid Fire Questions:
Sandy Tuff-Galvin is a Christian real estate broker in Florida and author of "It Had to Happen: From Abuse to Freedom." She is passionate about sharing her story with other women about her past pain, rejection, and the redeeming love of Jesus that changed her entire life. Sandy hopes her testimony will help other women find their strength in Jesus and move from abuse into destiny.
Sandy is a loving mother to Lauren and Jason, and joyful stepmother to Kate and Margot. She's been married to her husband Craig for six years (together for eleven years total) and they begin each day praying together, putting God first in everything they do.
Connect with Sandy Tuff-Galvin
About Your Host - Georgette Beck
Junk to Jewels podcast was inspired by Georgette Beck's first book, Junk to Jewels, A Journey from Brokenness and Despair to Beauty and Delight. The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1964508150
Junk to Jewels podcast with Georgette Beck will inspire, educate, encourage, motivate, and give hope to listeners as they heal from their past, in the present, for their future. Georgette is not afraid to share her heart with listeners, for heart matters, truly matter!
All heart matters come up for discussion, including healing from divorce, loss, abandonment, rejection, insecurity, self-esteem, remarriage, blended families, stepparenting, suicide, abortion, life purpose, faith, disappointment, depression, happiness, hope, grief, sorrow, health, and many other topics.
Episodes include stories from Georgette's life, helpful affirmations, scriptures and quotes, wisdom gleaned from other authors and their books, and featured guest speakers who share their own junk to jewels stories.
We invite you to join our community by downloading and subscribing. We encourage you to submit a review and share with friends.
Have an inspiring story to share? Want to be a guest for a future episode? Contact Georgette at www.GeorgetteBeck.com
Important Resources for Listeners
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence:
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts:
You are seen. You are loved. You are not alone. Please reach out for help.
If this episode resonated with you:
#JunkToJewelsPodcast #SandyTuffGalvin #DomesticViolenceAwareness #SuicidePrevention #FaithJourney #SecondChances #OvercomingAbuse #HealingFromTrauma #ChristianTestimony #DivorceCare #GeorgetteBeck #HopeAndHealing #AbuseSurvivor #GodsLove #TransformationStory
